Video: Display type vs. text type

An important distinction in typography is the difference between Text Type and Display Type. Here's what you need to remember. Text Type is type that is designed to be read in large quantities at small sizes. For example, the bulk of the text in any newspaper, magazine, or book is Text Type. It's also called Body Type or Body Copy. Display type, on the other hand, is type that 14 point or larger, and it's typically used in small quantities for emphasis and effect.

Good typography can add tremendous power to your design and your message, whether it is a print- or screen-based project, a still or motion graphic, a 3D or 2D graphic. This course explains good typographic practices, so that you can develop an "eye" for type and understand how to effectively use it. Author Ina Saltz explains type classifications (serif vs. sans serif, display type vs. text type), how type is measured, sized, and organized, and how spacing and alignment affect your design. She also explains how to use kerning, tracking, leading, and line length, and covers the history and current trends in typography. The course teaches the principles of legibility, readability, and compatibility, and how they should be considered when you're selecting and designing with type.

Display type vs. text type

An important distinction in typography is the difference between Text Type and Display Type.Here's what you need to remember.Text Type is type that is designed to be read in large quantities at small sizes.For example, the bulk of the text in any newspaper, magazine, or book is Text Type.It's also called Body Type or Body Copy.Display type, on the other hand, is type that 14 point or larger, and it's typically usedin small quantities for emphasis and effect.

The vast majority of the 200,000 or so typefaces now available are Display typefaces.Display Type encompasses an enormous variety of letterforms.But first let's talk about Text Type.Depending on the type style, Text Type is typically between 8 point and 10 points insize or possibly 12 point type, depending on the typeface. Because Text Type is smallit has to be easy to read.

The most famous essay on text typography was written in 1930 by Beatrice Ward.Beatrice Ward used the metaphor of a crystal goblet.She said that the goblet should be clear so that its contents would be what you see, not the goblet itself.She was making the point that clarity in typesetting allows the content to be easily appreciated,suggesting that printing or typography should be invisible.Smooth reading is the goal.It may seem effortless when we're in the process of doing it.

But in reality, when we're reading, we rely on many tiny cues to help us take in wordsand passages of text in fractions of a second.Letterforms need to be super clear so that it takes as little effort as possible, infact, no conscious effort at all to see the shapes of the letters.Typefaces that are designed to be read in large quantities at small sizes share someimportant qualities and characteristics.If you look at these examples of widely used text typefaces, everyone has open spaces inside the letters.

The body height of the letters is tall, compared to the capitals.They have rhythmic and repetitive shapes and they are a medium weight.And it's easy to identify letters immediately because of their details.Some of the most popular text typefaces used today are digital versions of typefaces thathave been around for hundreds of years because they still work perfectly well, such as thefirst three in this example. What about Display Type?Display Type is just the opposite.

Display Type depends on its unique form to announce and amplify its content.It is not supposed to be invisible and in the vast universe of display typefaces available,there is something for every possible use.For example, in the category of typefaces that look like handwriting, hundreds of typefacesare available, here are just a few examples.Something else to keep in mind about Text Type and Display Type, Text Type can functionas Display Type by being made larger.But Display Type can rarely be used to function at small sizes like Text Type.

Later in this course, we're going to cover when and how to use Text Type and DisplayType to make your design projects look professional.I want you to think of display typefaces like the icing on a cake.Display Type should be used in small quantities and with restraint.A little intense sweetness goes a long way.

Learn by watching, listening, and doing, Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along Premium memberships include access to all exercise files in the library.

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Learn by watching, listening, and doing! Exercise files are the same files the author uses in the course, so you can download them and follow along. Exercise files are available with all Premium memberships.
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